PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Catholic church is being led by Pope Francis. Local experts on the inside of the church are happy with what they see so far.

Dr. William Madges, Dean of the school of arts and sciences at St. Joseph’s University, thinks the fact that the new pope is a Jesuit will have an influence on his direction.

“Jesuits are really the largest male order in the Catholic church. It suggests something about him having a world wide vision so that he doesn’t want to be simply the Bishop of Rome but he really wants to attend to the difficulties, the problems and the anguish of people in the various parts of the world. The Jesuits have a very strong ministry in terms of those who have been marginalized – the poor, the dispossessed, and a very strong emphasis on social justice.”

The Reverend Kevin Gallagher is Director of Vocation at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He sees an opportunity for Pope Francis to focus on change from the inside.

“I think that will help to bring about change, restructuring. I think affording the church the opportunity to regain the trust of those we have lost the trust of — in the area of sexual abuse but in other areas of the church as well.”